Kotohiki Beach, Loved by Warriors
Hi, I'm Sandy!
Kotohiki Beach isn't just a place where sand sings; it's also a historical site visited by great samurai lords and their families. Let's peek into the past through some old documents!
What Was Kotohiki Beach Like?
According to old records, Kotohiki Beach used to have many mysterious spots. There was a waterfall with delicious water used for tea ceremonies, and a river called "Keiki-gawa" (Fortune River) that was used to predict the day's fortune. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
This is an old drawing of the "Neagari no Matsu" (Pine Tree with Exposed Roots).
Poem by the Samurai Lord, Hosokawa Yusai
During the Age of Warring States, the lord of this region, Hosokawa Yusai, left behind this poem.
At Kakezu, on the pine with roots exposed, five-colored threads are hung,
Playing the koto along the shores of Mitsu-no-ura.
This poem cleverly weaves in not just "Kotohiki Beach" but also the names of nearby places like "Goshiki-hama" (Five-Colored Beach) and "Mitsu-no-ura." It's like a word puzzle!
Poem by the Tragic Lady, Hosokawa Gracia
Hosokawa Gracia, the wife of Yusai's son Tadaoki, also composed a poem at this beach. She lived a very difficult life, but perhaps she found a moment of peace here, watching a quiet autumn sunset.
At the famed Taiko-hama, the Drum Beach, I hear the autumn,
As a gentle evening rain passes far away.
A long time ago, a part of Kotohiki Beach was called "Taiko-hama" (Drum Beach). When people walked there, it made a "don-don!" sound, just like a drum! Isn't that amazing? An old text says, "When you step with your feet or strike with your hands, the sound is like a drum."
From an Edo Period Travel Diary
A traveler from the Edo period, Noda Senkoin, also wrote about Kotohiki Beach in his diary. He noted, "The sound is louder when the weather has been clear and the sand is dry." He also guessed about the Drum Beach, "It makes a 'don-don' sound when walked upon. This must be because there is a cavity under the sand." It seems people back then were also curious about why the sand sings!